Tips

I know I do. It feels great when a quote resonates so much with you, you can’t help but smile and nod along.

There’s a reason quotes are so powerful. People love to adopt mantras and live by them.

Well, financial quotes are no different. Often times, the way something is phrased can completely change your view on a subject. I know that’s happened to me plenty of times. Something somewhere just clicks.

Let’s take a look at 5 different financial quotes I think we could all learn a little something from.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

– Thomas Edison

Can you all guess what Thomas Edison is alluding to here? Side hustling, of course! Okay, so maybe that exact term wasn’t around back then, but the premise is the same. Put in the hard work, and reap the rewards.

Some people aren’t for side hustling because they value their time more. That’s fine (especially if they’re not hurting for money). However, as young adults, most of us could probably use a little income boost now and then.

Unfortunately, some people can’t see past the (temporary) sacrifices that need to be made. They would much rather get home and relax than go to work on something, even if that something is meaningful and more enjoyable than their 9-5.

Well, those people are missing out on a huge opportunity to increase both their income and their knowledge.

Say I gave up on blogging 6 months after starting. Where would I be today? Certainly not writing here. I wouldn’t have any business to speak of. Heck, I hadn’t even heard of side hustling until I started blogging!

So many opportunities were presented to me simply because I kept blogging, kept growing my readership, and kept making connections within the community. Yes, blogging (and side hustling) is hard work, but hard work tends to pay off.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

– Benjamin Franklin

I absolutely love this little gem by Benjamin Franklin because it’s so true. Knowledge has far more value than we consciously assign to it.

Sometimes, I wonder how I would have ended up had I not learned from an early age that consumer debt was bad. It astounds me how some people lack basic money management knowledge.

When you take the time to learn, you’re making an investment in yourself and your future. It’s as simple as that. And reading personal finance blogs totally counts! I’ve learned so many things by reading about what others have experienced.

The stock market can seem overwhelming, but everything can be broken down into smaller pieces that are easier to understand. Take the time to educate yourself.

“Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.”

– James W. Frick

There’s another quote out there similar to this one about budgets by Joe Biden, but I like priorities better. And this is so true. When you spend your money on something, you’re making it a priority. You need to make sure it’s actually a priority for you.

If you’re not evaluating your spending, you’re probably not going to achieve your financial goals. You need to have a pulse on your accounts and your expenses.

That’s why it’s super important to make a list of your priorities and put them in your spending plan. Take everything else out. You’ll feel a lot better when your money is going toward what truly matters to you.

“Too many people spend money they earned…to buy things they don’t want…to impress people that they don’t like.”

– Will Rogers

When I first read this one months ago, it was one of those quotes that made me go, “YES!” Of course, this is referencing the whole keeping up with the Joneses lifestyle.

How many times have you been guilty of buying something to fit in? Whether it’s clothing, a gadget, a car, or even lunch at work, we face a lot of pressure to keep up appearances.

But it’s a lot easier when we stop caring (to some extent – of course, we can’t go to work looking like bums!). And what’s the point of buying something solely to impress people we couldn’t care less about?

To be honest, I’d rather people like me for me. Not for my possessions, or lack thereof. It’s draining to pretend to be someone you’re not, and it’s even worse when you spend your money on it.

This ties back in with spending on priorities. Spend on YOUR priorities, NOT the priorities of others.

If you’re honest with yourself, you might find your priorities differ wildly from the general public. Own it.

I personally don’t watch TV – I’ve never been that into it. I also don’t really enjoy movies. People look at me as if I’m crazy when I say that, but it doesn’t phase me anymore. I’d much rather play a video game or read a book in my spare time.

Do what you enjoy, and I’ll do what I enjoy. It’s that simple.

“Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.”

– Ayn Rand

This quote really spoke to me because I’ve had an unhealthy relationship with money in the past.

Due to growing up around debt, I saved like crazy as soon as I got my first part-time job. I never stopped, which led to a lot of deprivation on my end.

While I’m typically happy with the little things, I had fallen into the scarcity mindset. I wanted to hold onto all of my money out of fear something bad would happen.

But…money is just a tool. It’s a very useful one – don’t get me wrong – but I attachedway too much importance to it. I realized many people were getting by with less.

If something horrible were to happen, I have a backup plan in place, and I know I’m resourceful enough to get back on my feet.

With that epiphany, I was able to take back control and become the driver again. Don’t let money control you.________________I hope you were able to get something out of these quotes. I love it when a quote makes me think and question my views, especially on finance. There are so many different opinions out there when it comes to money, and it’s always good to keep an open mind.

What is your favorite financial quote? Which one did you like the most from this list?